Characterization of Brewery Wastewater for Reuse in Kigali, Rwanda

Like many developing countries, Rwanda is grappling with water shortages in the face of both increased urbanization and industrialization. Other options that will provide water for industrial activities without necessarily tapping into new water sources must be explored. This study investigates the prospects of wastewater re-use using a case study of Bralirwa soft drink factory (BSDF) in Kigali City, Rwanda. From August 2009 to January 2010, laboratory experiments were conducted at both Bralirwa wastewater treatment plant laboratory and National University of Rwanda water laboratory. The main objective was to characterize wastewater from BBSDF so as to determine its reuse options. The parameters analyzed included Temperature (T), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Turbidity, Ammonium Nitrogen (NH4-N), Total Nitrogen (TN), Total Phosphorus (TP), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Electro-Conductivity (EC), Salinity, equivalent OH- and Residual Chloride. The Bralirwa soft drink factory wastewater removal efficiencies for TSS, BOD5, EC, TDS, NH4N, TP, Residual Chloride, and equivalent OH-, was 72%; 93%; 30%; 25%; 78%; 30%; 84% and 92%, respectively. Based on recommended Rwandan wastewater quality re-use standards, this study concluded that Bralirwa wastewater re-use options are lawn irrigation, agricultural irrigation, factory reuse etc.